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If I had to create a basic lesson plan for how to make a quilt it would be broken down into these three basic steps: Step 1: Design. Step 2: Stitch. Step 3: Finish. Of course a lot more goes on within those essential steps. But if you're new to art quilting or want to know more about these topics...

Swirling machine quilting lines dance around the fish in this quilt by Elin Waterston. We art quilters march to a different drummer and dance to our own tune. If we follow rules at all, we see them more as guidelines, jumping off points for improvisation. No one I know embodies this philosophy more than...

'Mystique' (102" x 102") by Sharon Schamber, featured in the International Quilt Association's 'Quilts: A World of Beauty' competition in 2010. When the leaves start to turn and there's a nip in the air, my thoughts immediately turn to International Quilt Festival/Houston...

'Moon Garden' by Judy Coates Perez Machine quilting that enhances the design of the quilt is a thing of beauty. But very few people can just put their quilt under the needle and produce perfect stitching. Even award-winning pros like Judy Coates Perez, whose machine quilting designs complement...

'Construction 1' collagraph monoprint by Heidi Miracle-McMahill. Just as the summer is winding down (sniff!), so is the celebration of 10 years of Quilting Arts Magazine . It's not a sad ending, though, because it's been really gratifying to revisit all the talented artists we've...

Machine and hand embroidery are the hallmarks of art quilt design and construction. Depending on the stitch and the thread or fiber used, embroidery techniques can give your quilts a contemporary edge or vintage charm. In this free eBook, Essential Embroidery Stitches: Free Hand and Machine Embroidery...

Quilt making doesn't have to be complex, with hours of cutting, piecing, and sewing tiny seams. In this free eBook, How to Quilt: 4 Free Projects to Learn How to Make a Quilt , you'll learn how to quilt using fabric scraps, craft-store flowers, a fish, and canvas and paint. At the same time,...

When someone asks me what's the difference between contemporary art quilts and traditional quilts, one of the first things I think of is embellishment, especially beads and encrustation. Beaded embellishment is just not something you are going to see on a traditional quilt, but it does pop up in...

The art of appliqué quilting has long been a way for quilters to add designs to their fabric, in addition to piecing. But while traditional quilters used the hand appliqué stitch to place their fabric motifs, contemporary quilters are more apt to fuse or machine appliqué, opening...

Last week while back in Massachusetts I picked up a few essential Christmas mementos to send to our new Colorado home. As I was packing them up at Quilting Arts headquarters, people gathered around to comment. The sight of John's childhood Christmas stocking brought out everyone's nostalgic side...

I confess: sometimes I get so caught up in the "art" I forget about the "quilting." Let me explain. An idea for an art quilt forms in my mind based on, say, a favorite TV show such as (still--and forever) Tony Soprano. Or, a new line of gorgeous fabrics hits my desk and I have to...

I first became aware of Elin Waterston through the Quilting Arts reader challenges, particularly our annual calendar contests. Very quickly, our team came to recognize Elin's distinctive brand of well-thought-out, uncluttered design featuring a strong focal point. Since then, Elin has written articles...

Is there such a thing as too much texture? I don't think so! Texture is what we art quilters are all about. Texture is what excites the quilt artist and it's what entices the art quilt viewer to come up and take a closer look. Plus, adding more texture to our quilts gives us a great excuse to...

Isn't it funny how sometimes the simplest of art processes can be so satisfying? I mean, you know I love my Thermofax screen printing and I am a sucker for hand embroidery. Thread sketching fascinates me and I never get tired of dyeing. But when it comes to hands-down fun, I have to go with stamping...

As a devotee of "Project Runway," one of the things I love most about the show-after the hilarious Tim Gunn quips-is watching how the designers translate their inspirations into line, pattern, and form. Take last week's episode, where Anthony and Maya were inspired by New York's Chinatown...